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Natural Birthing at a Hospital is a Joke

The hospital where I live has a family birthing area and say they promote natural birthing. You can't eat, they want you to be in bed with heart monitors 24/7. and you don't get options on birthing positions. If I could afford a homebirth I would. My mil is like it's for safety and you don't want to poop while pushing. As far as I remember giving birth isn't exactly pretty anyways. When I had my son they wouldn't let me be in the position I felt my body needed. When I got in the position and the heart monitors slipped they got mad but it was the only time I dilated well. What happened to listening to our bodies? I also believe in pushing when you feel like it. It is more natural and takes less time and effort. When I listened to my body and did it when I felt like it my son came out within minutes. When they tried to make me push when I didn't want to I didn't make much progress. So frustrated with my lack of options due to finances.

Do they have midwives there? I had a natural birth in my hospital, but I didn't have any doctors attending, midwives came in with me. I was allowed to do whatever I wanted - I could eat whatever, they encouraged positions and showering, and they don't push you over time. Maybe look into seeing if you have any certified nursing midwives in your area?

not that take medicaid. im looking into homebirth im gonna see if there is someone who takes payment plans or something.

Quoting Turtledoves:

Do they have midwives there? I had a natural birth in my hospital, but I didn't have any doctors attending, midwives came in with me. I was allowed to do whatever I wanted - I could eat whatever, they encouraged positions and showering, and they don't push you over time. Maybe look into seeing if you have any certified nursing midwives in your area?

If hospital birth is your only option, remember those are just policies. Do what you want to. They can't make you do anything you don't want. You may have to fight for it though if that's what you really want. Good luck though!

Im sorry!!! Im a doula and ive been to a lot of really really awesome births in the hospital. where the mom was "allowed" to push in the postion she wanted. and they were very giving and letting her do what she felt she needed to do.

I have also had home births, maybe look around for one to see if they take your insurance? some do take medicaid. and i know if you talk to them and tell them this is what you really want but... have a hard time coming up with the funds some will be willing to work with you. and get a doula, maybe a student doula so it will be less pricey to help you with the birth . im so sorry your dealing with all that.

My hospital is a catholic hospital,, even though I'm Christian we go there for the options they give... They have big tubs if you want to get in them,, pain meds or not they don't push either way... Ask for privacy they leave immediately unless you are in a medical emergency... Need something they have it for you in 5-10 min... (what i mean by catholic hospital is that they have a place to hold mass,, little figurines) its a normal hospital but they allow more of a relaxed/ this is your body,, kind of atmosphere... They do not push religion on you but they also don't discourage formula but they try to get you to breast feed or pump at least...)

In most hospitals, yes it's a joke. Most hospital staff members haven't even witnessed a natural birth (and it's MUCH different than a medical birth). Much of this has to do with convenience and money. You really have to look for a suitable place to birth if you want to go natural; the place I am going is 40 minutes drive from me. I wanted to birth at a birth center or have a home birth, but my insurance wouldn't cover either option, but I was lucky to find a sort of in-hospital birthing center staffed by midwives. Not as good as homebirth, but it's a nice in-between option and they take my insurance.

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